Kiwi victim now home after methanol deaths

Stay vigilant: Tourists visiting Namxay Viewpoint in Vang Vieng. The deaths of six tourists to suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng has prompted Australia, the United States and Britain to warn their citizens to be cautious when consuming drinks in Laos, where counterfeits of well-known alcohol brands pose a significant problem. — AFP

A New Zealand citizen poisoned after drinking contaminated alcohol in a popular tourist town in Laos has returned home, authorities said, as the government pledged to prosecute those responsible for the incident which has killed six tourists.

“The New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok has been providing assistance to one New Zealander who we believe to have been poisoned with methanol in Laos.